Combination lock



Nov. 7, 1950 R. s. WALLACH ETAL 2,529,119

COMBINATION LOCK Filed May 16, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 yW nimimmw IN W 15aunuu l- Hil I 17. Wallarfi i BY Jfaeri 5. fiallacfz/ Nov. 7, 1950 R.S.-WALLACH El AL 2,529,119

COMBINATION LOCK Filed May 16, 1946 Sheets-Sheet 2 j7z\ I a 175 470 MMHUN 70 1 I H a I 171 i g; .151 J 41 5 6 I 142 v J7 7a INVENTORS 4 Dying",3. ilail'avlv BY 21w; 6. ikfillack HTTOENEYS Nov. 7, 1950 R. s. WALLACHETAL 2,529,119

' COMBINATION LOCK Filed May 16, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 F? I Q; l I L g gQ 2 fig L X. i

g s g 51 ,1. I N. Q 3 a 3 a 2 3 'a a INVENTOKS Nov. 7, 1950 R. s.WALLACH EI'AL COMBINATION LOCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 16, 1946INVENTORS 244 Jm'gg D. hizllack Faker! 5. fiallarlt/ Patented Nov. 7,1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMEINATKON LOCK York Application May16, 1946, Serial No. 670,092

37 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved lock, and particularly to akeyless, or combination look.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a combination lockwhich is more rugged and durable than conventional locks of this type.

It is an object of the invention to provide a combination lock which maybe operated in the dark.

It is an object of the invention to provide a combination lock whichdoes not require the usual careful manipulation of a dial-which manypeople find difiicultbut instead/requires merely the actuation of pushbuttons according to the particular combination of the lock.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a lock of thecombination type in which the combination is reset to locked positionupon turning the doorknob or handle in one direction, but in whichturning the handle in the other direction permits the door or otherclosure utilizin the lock to be opened and closed freely without havingto reoperate the combination for each successive opening.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a combination lockof the button-press type in which it is impossible to distinguish, evenby the most sensitive touch, between the actuation of the proper, orcombination keys and the other, or trap keys.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a button-press typeof combination lock having means to prevent the depression or actuationof more than one button at one time, thus introducing an additionaldeterrent to solving the combination by trial and error.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combination lockwhich may not be forced, even if all but one of the tumblers has beenmoved to clear condition.

It is an object of the invention to provide a combination lock in whichthe combination may It is an object of the invention to provide a.

permutation lock which may be night latched so that the lock bolt maynot thereafter be withdrawn even by one in possession of thecombination.

It is an object of the invention to provide a permutation lock of thedead latch type, in

which the bolt, having been withdrawn to permit the opening of a doorfor example, must be manually returned to locking position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lock having a pair ofconcentrically disposed knobs, one of which sets the night latchmechanism.

It is an object of the invention to provide a permutation lock, the keysor push buttons of which have a common spring means to restore them toinitial position, so that the feel of every push button is the same,regardless of the fact that the combination keys will be actuated morefrequently than the non-combination keys of the lock.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lock in which theoperating head of the latchin bolt may be extended to meet specificinstallation conditions.

One presently preferred form of the invention includes a slidable boltand bolt actuator, with a keeper bar preventing operation of the boltactuator until the combination has been accurately followed. A pluralityof keys control tumblers which engage with the keeper bar to preventoperation thereof. Certain of the keys-which must be operated in therequired combination sequence-move tumblers out of engagement with thekeeper bar to clear it for operation. Other key-controlled tumblers arenormally out of engagement with the keeper bar, but are moved intoengagement therewith upon depression of the associated key, therebycomprising trap means which prevent opening of the look even if prior toor after the actuation of such a trap key the correct keys are operatedin proper sequence. The tumblers of the combination" keys are so set upthat the improper operation of such a key will operate the tumbler insuch fashion that the lock may not be opened.

The number of keys may be as desired. In banks or oifices, in which itis usual to record the combination, there may be a total of ten, twelve,or more keys, with a correspondingly more complex combination. Forhousehold use, seven keys, of which four, for example, may be involvedin the combination, appears to be desirable. In such a combination, andeven when repetitive action of the same key is avoided, such as acombination l||l there are thousands of practical combinationsavailable.

A number of inherent safeguards make it an impossibility to detect thecombination'by sensing the difference in the response of the severalkeys to finger pressure. For example, every tumbler has substantiallythe same resistance to rotation. The key springs are balanced, or in oneembodiment, a single spring system acts on all of the keys. Thus thereis no weakening or sensible difference in response of a springassociated with a combination key as against a lesser-actuatednon-combination key. Only one key at a time may be actuated, therebycausing one seeking to discover the combination by trial and error topainstakingly actuate the keys independently. The lock may not be forcedeven if all but one tumbler has cleared.

Other features and advantages will hereinafte er be described.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of one embodiment of a lockcomprising the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section, taken on lines 22 of- Fig. I, showing atumbler and tumbler actuator in looking position;

Figs. 3, l, 5 and 6 are elevational views of tumbler shaft actuatorswhich are associated with the respective keys of the combination;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of a tumbler which is typical of thoseindividual to each of the keys of the combination group;

Fig. 7a is an elevational view of a tumbler which is typical of thoseindividual to the noncombination or trap keys;

Fig. 8 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 2, but showing how keypressure moves the associated tumbler into clear position; Fig. 8 isalso used to show' a partial actuation of the reset mechanism, it being.understood that the reset mechanism is not actuated at the same time asa key is depressed;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation in section on lines 9:79 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation in section on lines [0TH] of Fig. 2;

I Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the, main tumbler innormal, i. e., locked, association with the keeper bar;

Fig. 12 is an elevation, partly in section, showing in detail thearrangement of the bolt actuating and reset knob mechanisms disposed atV the inside face of the lock;

Fig. 17 is a plan View showing the night latch means in operativeposition;

Fig. 18 is a detail of the night latch cam;

Fig. 19 is a perspective View of the keeper bar and restoring mechanismof the second embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 20 is a side elevation in section showing the manner in which thelock bolt may be eX-, tended to accommodate unusual installationconditions.

Referrin to the drawings, Fig, 1 is a front elevation, partly insection, looking toward the look from the outside of the door. A bedplate 20 supports two main standards or walls 2|, 22 and by means ofyokes or straps 23, 24 inde-. pendently, and slida-bly, carries the bolt25 and a bolt actuator 26. When the lock is to be of. the self-latching,rather than the dead-latch means.

type, the slope of the nose 2'! of the bolt is such that when the openeddoor is slammed shut, the engagement of said nose with the conventionallatch plate (not shown) will slide the bolt to the right against thetension of its spring 28, whereupon the spring will drive the bolt intothe latch plate aperture, as is common in the art.

The bolt has no connection with an outside knob, and may be actuatedfrom the outside only through the agency of the bolt actuator 26, whichmust be moved to the right of Fig. 1. The end of the actuator willengage the shoulder 29 of the bolt, and will withdraw the bolt from thelatch plate.

The'bolt actuator is driven by rotation of the knob shaft 36, which issuitably supported between the bed plate 20 and a cover plate 3|. Theoutside knob or handle 32, indicated in broken line in Fig. 9, isnon-rotatably secured to said shaft. Fixed to the shaft 30 for rotationtherewith is a lock reset cam 33 for cooperation with slidably mountedreset bail actuator 34, as by engagement of nose 35 of said cam with astud 35 on actuator 34. Shaft 30 also carrie a cam 31, Fig. 9, whichoperates a keeper bar throw lever 38. A lever 39, rotatable with cam 31is in the plane of a bolt-actuator crank 40 and throws the same 'aslaterdescribed.

The keeper bar 4| slidably supported for guided movement on the surfaceof bed-plate 20, and of heavy bar stock, is the main locking So long asits angular nose 42 is within the notch 43 of the bolt actuator, theactuator cannot be moved to the right of Fig. 1. Assuming that thekeeperbar is free to. be moved upwardly of Fig. 1, the clockwiserotation ofshaft 3?) will rotate the cam 31 so that its operating face 44, withwhich the throw lever 38 is in engagement, (see Fig. 9) will rotate saidlever clockwise about its pivot 45.. The head of the lever 38 willengage with a stud 46. projecting from keeper bar 4! and will start to.lift the nose of the bar out Of the notch 43. The an-. gularrelationship of cam face 44 and lever 39 is such that after the keeperbar has been cleared with respect to bar 26, the lever39 engagesthe arm4'! to rotate crank 40. The forked end 59 of crank arm 5| engages a stud52 on bolt actuator 25 to move the same to the right, whereupon itengages shoulder 29 and carries bolt 25 to open position. Bolt actuatorspring 53 is compressed upon such movement. The bolt havin beenwithdrawnfrom the latch late the door may be opened.

The permutation mechanism The keeper bar may be cleared for. movementonly after the operation of certain' keys. or but: tons in apredetermined sequence. In the illus trated embodimentv of theinvention, there are seven keys, Kl to Kl, which slidablyproject throughthe outside cover plate 31.. A typical combination will be presumed tocallfor K1, K3, K5, K! to be depressed in sequence. These keys will behereinafter referred to as the combination keys. The intermediate keysK2, K4, and K6 will be known as trap keys, because depression of'any onewill trap the keeper bar and prevent movement thereof even though, thecombination keys may also have been pressed; in proper order. Forexample, if one seeking to open the lock depressed Kl, K2, K3, K5 andK1, the keeper bar will be trapped by the action of K2 as laterdescribed, and the bolt cannot be withdrawn.

The keeper bar 41 is provided with a series of arcuate kerfs, designated60 to 61, there being one more kerf than there are keys, for a purposelater described. The shape of the kerfs is apparent from Fig. 11.Cooperating with each kerf. is a tumbler, T66 to T61. A shaft 18 havinga polygonalillustratively square-center portion is rotatably supportedby its circular ends 11 in the end plates 21, 22. Tumbler T66 is mounteddirectly on the squared portion of the shaft, as shown in Fig. 9, andwill rotate with the shaft. Circular sleeves 12 to 19, inclusive, havingsquare axial openings, are carried on shaft 10.

Fig. '7 shows tumbler T61, which is typical of the T61, T63, T65, T61group. It has a right angled notch 86 (assuming the keeper bar to berectangular in cross section), a lug 81 which normally is disposedwithin the associated keeper bar kerf, a solid locking web 82 whichenters the kerf if the tumbler is rotated more than is consistent withthe combination, and a plurality of actuating teeth 83, to 81, therebeing preferably one more actuating tooth than the required number ofkey depressions required by the combination. Tumbler T60, Fig. 11, hasno reset lug and no actuating teeth; its locking web 96 comprehends aninety degree arc. As later explained it is necessary to rotate shaftthrough ninety degrees before the locking web 98, normally within thekerf 68 of the bar 41 will disengage from said kerf.

Fig. 7a shows a tumbler which is typical of the T62, T64, T66 group.This group differs from the T6! group in that its lug 8| has a lowerface which is parallel with and slightly above the surface of the keeperbar 41, and the forward edge of its locking web 82 is vertical andparallel with the facing side of the bar atall times when the lock is inits normal closed position. In such position, it is noticed that thesurface 83' is horizontal with respect to the top surface of bar 41. Theremaining actuator teeth 84', etc., are exactly similar in positioningand size and shape with teeth 84, 85, 86 and 81 of the Fig. 7 tumbler.

Tumblers T61 and T61, inclusive, have collars which are provided withthe detent provided flanges 9| to 91; said flanges have the same numberof notches as there are actuating teeth. Cooperating with each detentflange is a springpressed detent 101 mounted in the bed plate 26, seeFig. 9, and having a rounded nose which engages in the respective detentnotches. The spring 102 of each detent should be relatively stiff tohold the detents firmly within the notches.

Suitable spacing sleeves, such as 108, Fig. 1, maintain the spacing ofthe tumblers, so that the respective locking webs thereof are inregistry with the keeper bar kerfs.

Tumblers T62, T64 and T66 are associated with the respective trap keysK2, K4 and K6, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 9, said tumblers areapproximately twice the thickness of tumblers T61, T63 and T65 and T61,which are associated with the combination keys K1, K3, K5 and K1.

Associated with each tumbler T61, T63, T65, and T61 is a tumbler shaftactuator, respectively 111, 113, 115 and 111, essentially comprising acircular plate having a square opening through which passes shaft 10, areset lug 121, 123, 125, 121, and a single actuator tooth, respectively131, 133, 135, 131. The upper edge of the reset lugs of all shaftactuation are initially in the same plane, and all are initiallyparallel with the respective lugs of the tumblers. The actuator teeth ofthe respective shaft actuators are placed at variant relative angleswith respect to a common surface of shaft 10. The relative angulardisplacement of the actuator teeth is equal to ninety degrees divided bythe total number of key actuations required to disengage all tumblersfrom the associated keeper bar kerfs. In the illustrated embodiment,four key actuations are required, and hence the actuator tooth of eachshaft actuator is at an angle of 22% degrees with respect to the toothof its adjacent actuator.

As previously described the actuators for shaft 16 are paired with thetumblers of the T61, T63, T65 and T61 group. These actuators andtumblers are so mounted that, for example, the upper surface of each ofthe reset lugs 121, etc., is in exact registry with the upper surface ofthe lug 81 of the tumblers. The upper surface of tooth 131 is inregistry with tooth 83 of the tumbler T61; tooth 133 of 113 registerswith 84 of the tumbler T63, tooth of actuator 115 registers with tooth85 of the tumbler T65 and tooth 131 of the 111 registers with tooth86'of tumbler T61. Each of the tumblers is so positioned that its toothsurface 83 is parallelwith the top surface of bar 41.

The key assembly The keys have identical shapes and associatedstructures. As shown in Figs. 2 and 9, the key button K1 surmounts aflat sheet metal post 146 at the upper end of which is a stop plate 141which abuts against the underside of the cover plate 31. A lower leg 142of the key bar rests within a slot 143 provided in the bed plate 28 asshown in Fig. 10. To a forwardly extending ear 144 of the key barthereis pivotally supported a pawl 145. A spring 141 which may be hookedto lugs or extensions respectively on the key bar and the pawl 145continually urges the pawl into clockwise rotation as respects Fig. 2.The pawl is preferably of sheet metal and has a forwardly extendingsharply angular nose 146 which is relatively wide, see Fig. 10, and isprovided with a rearwardly directed arm 148, whereby the pawl has asubstantial surface contact with both sides of the key post, therebyeliminating any skewing or canting of the pawl with respect thereto.

Secured to the underside of the cover plate 31 is a comb plate 150having narrow, rigid, teeth 151 which are disposed in front of the noseportions 146 of the respective pawls. As clearly appears in Fig. 2, therespective teeth 151 are tangent to the circle of rotation of thetumbler teeth and the respective actuator teeth 131, etc., of each shaftrotator, and said comb teeth extend downwardly to a point which preventsthe engagement of the pawl nose with any tooth the upper surface ofwhich is not in a substantially horizontal plane.

A key return spring 153 is mounted on a longitudinally extending supportpost 154. Said spring has a cantilever leaf 155 which in the presentembodiment may be individual to each key bar, and the ends of therespective leaves are slotted to accommodate the passage of the key postleg 142 therethrough. As clearly appears in Fig. 2, the configuration ofthe key bars is such as to provide a shoulder or offset which therespective spring leaf engages to urge the key assembly upwardly to aposition in which the stop I4 I abuts with the top plate 3 I. 7

Means are provided to make it impossible to depress two keys at the sametime, thereby introducing an additional deterrent to solving the lockcombination by depressing keys haphazardly. As shown in Figs. 2 and 10,there is provided a ball cage I66 beneath and in alignment with therespective openings I43 in the bed plate. The inner wallto wall width ofthe cage is but slightly large than the width of the key leg I42.Immediately beneath the respective openings I43, the lower Wall of theball cage has openings I6I to permit the lower end of the key leg I42 topass downwardly therebetween, as shown in Fig. 8.

The ball cage confines a plurality of balls I62, the .sizeof. the ballsand the cage being such that two adjacent balls can separate to anextent which permits a key leg to be driven downwardly therebetween.However, with one key leg posi tioned between two adjacent balls, thereis, insufficient room to permit other pairs of balls to separatesufficiently to permit a second key leg to be pushed downwardly into theball cage. Hence, the plurality of balls provides a positive yetflexible locking means to prevent the simultaneous downward movement ofany two keys. To facilitate the proper positioning of the series ofballs, each end wall of the ball cage has an adjustment screw and locknut assembl I 63.

The screws can be projected inwardl of the ball cage to a suflicientamount permitting th desired freedom of movement of the balls, and thenlooked in position to retain the adjustment.

Keeper bar release operation Assuming that the lock is closed and noneof the buttons or keys has been actuated, tumbler T6Ilwil1 have itslocking web 96 projecting into the kerf 60 as shown in Fig. 11, and eachof the tumblers T6I, T63, T65, T51 and their respective shaft actuatorswill have their lugs also within a kerf in bar I, as shown in Fig. 2.The tumq blers of the trap keys will be positioned as in Figfla whereinno part of the locking webs or lugs thereof projects into an associatedslot or kerf. Y

The combination has been assumed to be the operation of keys KI, K3, K5,and K1 in the order named, there being but a single operation of eachkey. Looking now at Fig. 2, which represents key KI in its normalposition, the down-- ward movement of the key bar I46 carries with it thpawl I45. The comb plate tooth II holds the pawl nose i 36 out ofoperative position with respect to any tooth of the tumbler TEI or theassociated shaft actuator I I I until the depression of'the key hasreached a point where the nose I46 is considerably beneath the loweredge of the tooth I5I, at which time the spring I l! Will rotate thepawl I35 clockwise and bring its nose I46 into operative relationshipwith respect to 7 the upper surface of tooth I3! and the upper surfaceof tooth 83 of the tumbler, which, as previously stated, are inalignment. Continued downward pressure on the key causesa 22 degreerotation of the'element III and the tumbler T6I, and moves therespective reset lugs l2! and BI out of the kerf in bar il. Shaft 76 hasbeen rotated 22 /2 degrees. The device is now in the position shown inFig. 8; the balls I62 have shifted to open a space therebetween topermit the end I42 of the key bar to pass downwardly through the slotI6I into the ball cage. The detent II has yielded to permit the rotationof the tumbler T6I and has been spring driven into the succeeding detentnose. Release of the key KI will bring it back to origina1 position; thedetent IOI will hold the tumbler T6I against rotation.

All of the other actuators H3, H5, H7, rotating with the shaft I0 haveadvanced 22 /2 degrees, but their respective tumblers have been heldagainst rotation by their respective detents. Therefore although thereset lug I23 of actuator I I3 will have been moved out of the kerf, thelug 8I of its associated tumbler will still be within the kerf in bar4|. The 22 /2 degree rotation of shaft I0 will have rotated tumbler T66without disengaging its locking web 90 from the kerf 60.

The rotation of shaft ID has brought the actuator tooth I33 into theplane of the tooth 83 of tumbler T63, it being recalled that said tooth.

I33 was initiall in alignment with tooth 84 of said tumbler. When key KIis released to permit it to return to the Fig. 2 position, the balls I62are again freed for movement within the cage I66. K3 is now depressed,and after its pawl nose disengages from its associated comb tooth I6I,said nose I46 will come to rest on the collective surfaces I33 of memberI I3 and 83 of tumbler T63 to rotate the tumbler and shaft a second 22/2 degrees. Such rotation will bring the reset lug BI of tumbler T63 outof engagement with the kerf and the said tumbler will come to rest in aposition wherein the converging edges which form the opening 80 thereofwill have a position relatively above and in front of the top and sidewalls of the bar 4|, as also typified in- Fig. 8. The keeper bar is nowfreed as respects tumblers TM and T63 and their respective shaftactuators.

The tumbler T60 has now rotated through degrees, but its lock web 96 isstill within the kerf 66. Actuator H5 has rotated to a point whereitstooth I36 is in alignment with tooth 63 of its tumbler T65, inasmuch asthe said tumbler has been held against rotation by its associateddetent. Release of key K3 and subsequent depression of' K5 will cause asimilar combined rotation of actuator H5 and tumbler T65 to free thekerf in bar 4!. Tumbler T66 has not yet been rotated sufficiently tobring its lock web 96 out'of the kerf 60.

Actuator II! has rotated three 22 degree steps and its tooth I3'I is nowin line with tooth 83 of its associated tumbler T67. Upon the ac tuationof key K'I, member I I1 and its associated tumbler are rotated the final22 degrees, as is the tumbler T60, and upon the completion of suchrotation all of the kerfs of the keeper bar M have been cleared.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a clockwise rotation of the shaft 30 will causethe bar 38 to slide the keeper bar 4| against the pressure of itsassociated spring I65 and the bell crank 40 will be free to slide boltactuator 26 to the right and, upon engagement with the shoulder 29, itcarries with it the bolt 25. The unlocking operation is completed.

So long as the outside door handle 32 is returned only to its initialvertical position, the bolt may be closed and opened successivelywithout having to reoperate the keys because there is no directconnection between the tumbler shaft and the handle shaft.

It is apparent from Figs. 2 and 3 that each of the tumblers T6 I, T63,T65, and T61 has its notch 80 so disposed with respect to bar 4| that a22% degree rotation of the tumbler will bring the said notch intoclearance position with respect to the keeper bar, and that more thanone 22 degree rotation will bring the locking web 82 into the kerf ofthe keeper bar. Thus, if the combination calls for a single actuation ofkey KI, more than one actuation will hold the keeper bar locked againstmovement. For example, four successive actuations of any key will notrotate the shaft 10 through ninet degrees as needed to bring the lockweb 90 of tumbler T60 clear of kerf -B0 in the keeper bar; also thelocking web of at least one other tumbler will be within a kerf of thekeeper bar and the lock cannot be opened.

Similarly, the actuation of any of the trap keys will bring the lockwebs thereof into the associated keeper bar kerf. Two successiveactuations of a combination key will bring the web 82 of the associatedtumbler into a keeper bar kerf and will prevent the opening of the look.

It is to be understood, of course, that certain combinations may callfor the actuation of a particular combination key more than once, eitherrepetitively or after operation of some other combination key. In thatcase, the design of the tumbler of such plural-actuated key will beappropriate to the combination. The combination of any lock may bechanged by the replacement of any or all combination key tumblers with 1others appropriate to the new combination. The four-key combinationdiscussed above is intended to be merely illustrative; with a seven keylock, mathematics proves that there are more than fifteen thousandpractical combinations which are possible. By practical combinations ismeant combinations which will not unduly tax the memory of thoseauthorized to have it. If, as in the case of a bank or office whereincombinations are sometimes written down on a private memorandum, unusualor otherwise difficult to remember combinations are used, the number ofeffective combinations on a seven key lock reach into the hundreds ofthousands.

It is cont mplated that each cantilever spring I55 and each detentspring I02 will be substantially equal tension, so that the feel of eachkey and its associated tumbler will be indistinguishable from any otherkey. There is enough inherent friction in the various rotating andsliding members to compensate in this regard for any inequalities ofspring tension or wearing or weakening of the spring structures, etc.,of the frequently-used combination keys.

It may be thought that with all but one of the kerfs cleared, forexample, the keeper bar may be forced back by applying a substantialleverage to the handle 32. To forestall this, the structure can besuitably weakened at one or more points so that it will break or becomederanged upon the application of such excessive leverage. As shown inFig. 1, keeper bar actuating lever 38 is weakened, as by a notch willtherein, so that the application of extra leverage sumcient to break atumbler lock web will bend the lever before such breakage could occur,thus making it impossible in any event to force the lock.

The reset mechanism The reset mechanism comprises a bail I'HJ sodisposed as to be in the path of rotation of the lugs of all tumblersand the reset lugs of all shaft actuators. In its normal position thereset bail is so placed that it will permit five successive depressionsof any key before the reset lugs of the unit associated with said keystrike against the bail. The bail therefore prevents six successivedepressions of any one key, in the structure illustrated. The ball I'll)in normal position is as shown in Fig. 2. At each end of the lockstructure, adjacent the end plates, the bail is articulated to a rockshaft ill by linkage Which includes a bail supporting plate I12 freelypivotal upon the circular collars disposed about shaft It, and pivotlinks H3, W4. A suitable spring l'l5 which may be disposed at one orboth ends of the rock shaft ill rotates the bail structure clockwise ofFig. 2 until the bail normally engages with the topmost vertical tooth81 of the respective tumblers.

Rotation of the shaft ill and the thereto affixed reset links H4 isaccomplished by the movement of the bail actuator 34 when the handle 32is rotated counterclockwise of Fig. 1, in which event the cam nose 35drives the stud 36 to the left. The actuator 34 is pivoted to a bailcrank member I16 fixed to the rock shaft Hi.

When the keys of the lock have been pressed, and even if not in propercombination to unlock the .device, the reset lugs of the tumbler andshaft rotators will be out of their original aligned position. The resetlugs of the tumbler group T62, T64 and T66 have not been shifted inposition because said tumblers, being held by their respective detents,have not rotated. Rotation of the door handle counterclockwise over itspermitted arc will cause the bail to be rotated counterclockwise and itwill successively pick up the misaligned reset lugs until when the bailhas rotated through its full permitted are, all of the reset lugs willbe returned to where they occupy their original position with respect tothe keeper bar 45. The lock is again in its original condition whereinthe keeper bar is held by the collective tumblers against any movement.

If during the stage of attempting to open the look a mistake is made inthe combination, the lock mechanism can be at any time restored tooriginal position to permit unlocking operation to commence anew.

Fig. 12 shows the bolt actuator and reset knob on the inner side of thelock. The bolt actuator knob I88 is fixed to the sleeve 53 which isrotatable on shaft 30. As has previously been stated the arm 54 ispinned or otherwise secured to the sleeve 53 for rotation therewith.Hence, after the room has been entered and the door again closed thecombination may be left in its unlocked position and the door againopened b rotation of the knob 98?! which causes the lever 54 to operateagainst the independently slidable bolt 25 as previously stated.

To reset the combination so that it will be necessary for one seekinglater to enter the room to go through the operation of depressing thekeys to release the keeper bar 4|, there is provided a second knob l3!affixed to the polygonal end of the shaft til. Rotation of said knob micauses the shaft 3? to rotate and to actuate the 1 bail operator cam 33to restore the alignment of the respective lugs to original position.

The second embodiment The structure shown in Figs. 14 to 19 represents asecond embodiment of the lock which is rather more compact than thepreviously illustrated type and which embodies additional structuralfeatures making it more appropriate for use as a conventional householdor room lock. For example, where the lock of the Fig. 1 type isembodiment incorporates an effective night latch by means of which adoor may be locked from the inside against the entry even of one who maybe in possession of the combination. The present embod'ment isillustrative of the dead latch type in which the bolt does not return toeffective position by spring tension; it is to be understood, of course,that the previously described embodiment may also be of the dead latchtype.

In the Fig. 14 embodiment the tumbler mechanism and the key mechanism isthe same as that previously described and need not be repeated; identcal reference characters have been used to represent the parts which arein common with respect to the Figs. 1 and 14 devices. Instead ofutilizing the individual spring leaves I53, however, the latterembodiment utilizes a key restoration plate 280 pivotally supported bythe shaft 20! on suitable standards 202. At each end of the shaft thereis provided a mouse trap spring 203 which tends always to rotate theplate clockwise of Fig. 15. The upper surface of the plate bears againstthe anchor shoulder of spring ll of each key post and therefore all keysare held in their projected position. The use of spring means which iscommon to all of the keys of the lock has a definite advantage in thatevery key necessarily has the same spring tension. Therefore althoughthe keys in the combinat on will, of course, be actuated much more thanthe trap keys there will be no difference in the spring tension asrespects a combination and trap key.

The bolt 2H) is suitably guided for movement on the bed plate 20 by anysuitable combination or assembly of guide rails, and is normally heldagainst movement to the r ght in Figs. 14 and 17 by the nose 2l2 of alever 2 l3, pivotally mounted upon a stud 216. The nose fits within apocket 2l5 formed in the bolt 21!! and normally the front edge of thenose bears against the front portion of the pocket. There is arelatively small clearance to the rear of the nose, as shown in Fig. 14.the bolt may be withdrawn, the nose 2| 2 must be completely clear of thepocket. The keeper bar 2| 6 is formed at one end with a socket 2| 1 andterminates in an upstanding shoulder 218 which is consderalbly higherthan the inwardly projecting h ok 229 on the lever 2i3. As clearlyappears in Figs. 14 and 17 the end 220 extends into the socket 2|! atthe end of the keeper bar and engages the shoulder 2l8. Disposed abovethe lever 2l3 and independen ly rotatable on the stud 214 is a keeperbar actuator lever 22!, the free end of which engages the outermost faceof the shoulder 2 l8.

Assuming the combination to have been properly actuated to clear, in themanner previously set forth, the respective tumblers form the detentnotches of the keeper bar, the outside knob is rotated in clockwise drection to rotate the shaft 222 to which it is affixed. Secured to saidshaft for rotation therewith is a cam 223. The cam is disposed above thelever 213 as appears in Fig. 17 and the face 224 of said cam cooperateswith the lever 22!. Upon rotation of shaft 222 the face 224 comes intoposition against lever 22! and continued rotation of the shaft causesthe said lever to rotate about pivot 2| 4 to raise the keeper bar 2I6upwardly in Figs. 14 and 17, the movement of said keeper bar causing thelever 213 to rotate about its pivot by virtue of the engagement oftheend 220 of lever 213 with the It will be seen therefore that before12 shoulders 218 of the keeper bar. In this fashion the lever 213 isrotated until its nose 212 has cleared the pocket 2 I5 provided in thebolt.

At this instant there has been nomotion of the bolt 210. The bolt isprovided with a stud 226 which passes into the bolt through an elongateslot 22'! formed in the end of a bolt-throw link 228. The stud has ahead 23!] which prevents disengagement of the link and the stud. Freelypivoted upon a screw or stud 23! which is secured to the cam 223 is arelatively short link 2232 pivoted to the end of link 2213. As the doorhandle and shaft 222 are rotated, the respect ve links 228, 232 assume awider angle with respect to each other, and at the time when the n se2l2 has been cleased from the pocket 2|5, the respective links aresubstantially in a straight line, whereupon contin ed rotat on of thecam 223 causes the linkage 228, 232 to draw the bolt 2|!) to the rightof Fig. 14, thereby opening the lock.

After entry of the room the bolt may be restored to latching positionwithout restoring the combination to its original status by means of aknob or equivalent mounted upon sleeve 240 freely rotatable u on thereduced diameter end 2M of the shaft 222. Affixed to the s eeve 24!] forrotation therewith s a cam member 242 which rides within a s ot 243formed in the underside of the bolt 2H3. when the bolt has initiallybeen moved to the ri ht, or unlocked position, the lefthand wall 264 ofthe slot 243. will have en aged the lower corner of the cam 242 androtated saidv cam and its associated sleeve 24!] counterclockwise ofFig. 14:. It is understood of course that there is norestraint on therotation of sleeve 242. Therefore when the occupant of the room wishesto throw the bolt into locking position, he merely rotates the knobafiixed to sleeve 240 so that the ed e of the cam 242 en-'- gages withthe adiac nt end wall 244 of the slot and propels the bolt to the leftof Fig. 14.

Reverse rotation of. the inside knob causes cam 242 to engage with theopposite edge of slot 243 to shoot the bolt to the right, the cam face250 lift ng the lever 2E3 to permit such bolt movement.

With the lock in that position the combination has not been disturbed orrestored to keeper bar restraining position and the door may be openedfrom the outside without having to go through the sequence of keyactuation. So long as the combination settings have not been restored,the bolt may be thrown open or closed any number of times, and by eitherthe inside or the outside knob.

If after having entered the room the occupant wishes to restore thecombination or tumblers to a status wherein the person seeking to enterthe room must operate the combination, the room occupant first restoresthe bolt to locking position by rotating the knob affixed to sleeve 240as aforesaid, then rotates a second knob, not

' shown, fixed to the end 2%! of. the shaft 222.

Fixed to shaft 222 for rotation therewith is a lever 245 which is inoperative relationship to a bail plate 2% pivotally mounted on a shaft241 rotatably supported in a bracket 248 fixed to the plate 20. A secondbail plate is mounted on the opposite end of said shaft, and the platescollectively support a bail structure 249, see Figs, 14 and 15. Saidbail is rotatable downwardly of Fig. 15 to successively engage the lugsor actuating noses on the tumblers and shaft actuators to mutually alignthem and restore the lock to original condition.

In Figs. 14 and 17, the rotation of the shaft 222 has caused the cam 223to rotate similarly and the said cam has been restored to the Fig. 14position. The links 228, 232 haverestored the bolt to home position. Thespring 233 operates on the lever 2l3 and as the notch 215 comes intoposition with respect to nose 2I2 which had been resting upon the upperleft hand edge of the bolt 2H3 when the bolt was moved to the right, the

lever 213 snaps home and restores the keeper bar l I to originalposition.

path of movement of the bolt that it abolutely prevents movement of thebolt.

Obviously, as the cam 242 is rotated to night latch position there mustbe a slight additional leftward movement of the bolt 2H3. This ispermitted by the slot 221 of link 228 and the clearance provided in thenotch 2 !5.

As shown in Fig. 18, the configuration of the cam 2&2 is such that thereis a very pronounced face 253 which is normally in engagement with thelever 2I3 when the bolt is in its home position. A spring 25! restrainsthe free movement of the cam. When the bolt is moved to the right whenopening the door, the cam 242 is rotated counterclockwise of Fig. 14,whereupon the cam face 25!! is no longer in fiat engagement with leverare. To throw cam 242 to night latch position, it first goes to itsinitial position wherein the face 258 is fiat against the lever H3, anda snap or definite interruption of smooth movement is experienced. Thecam 242 rotates to night latch position. Because of the sensible breakor stop which is felt before the night latch position is reached, it ishighly improbable that one meaning merely to send the bolt home topermit another person freely to enter the room would accidentally put onthe night latch. However, to insure against accidental ni ht latching,the inner escutcheon plate of the lock may be marked or indexed to showthe knob position at which night latching is accomplished.

Either the bolt 25 or 2H; may be provided with an extensible nose whichpermits the lock mechanism to be placed more to the left of the edge ofthe door than is conventional, if conditions so require. As shown inFigs. 19 and 20, the outer end of the bolt 259 may be provided withtapped holes 255 to receive long screws 256. An extension bolt head 25?has passages which freely receive the screws in countersunk relation.Spacer sleeves 258 are disposed about the screws to establish the properposition of head 251 with respect to the bolt structure. Selecting thedesired length of screws 256 and sleeves 258 thus makes it possible toaccomplish any desired extension of the effective length of the bolt 2H)or 25.

Although the invention has been described by making a fully detailedreference to the certain presently preferred embodiments, such detail ofdescription is to be understood in an instructive rather than a limitingsense, many changes being possible within the scope of the claims heretoappended.

We claim:

1. A lock comprising a bolt for movement into or out of a latch platesocket, a movable keeper bar normally securing said bolt againstmovement; said keeper bar having a plurality of kerfs cut transverselyof the length thereof; a plurality of tumblers having rigid websnormally within certain of said kerfs to lock said keeper bar againstmovement, a second plurality of tumblers having rigid webs in alignmentwith other of said kerfs but normally not disposed within said kerfs;pawl means for actuating said first-named tumblers to remove the websthereof from the said kerfs, other pawl means for actuating saidsecond-named tumblers to introduce the webs thereof into the therewithassociated kerfs, whereby said keeper bar may be unlocked for movementonly by the actuation of the proper pawl means; external handle meansfor moving said unlockedkeeper bar out of bolt secur ng position; andlever means operatively associated with said handle means and ,said boltfor subsequently withdrawing said bolt from said latch plate socket.

2. A look comprising, a bolt for movement into or out of a latch platesocket, a slidably mounted keeper bar normally securing said boltagainst movement, said keeper bar having a plurality of kerfs cuttransversely of the length thereof; a plurality of rotatable tumblershaving web members normally within certain therewith associated kerfs ofsaid keeper bar to lock said bar against movement, said web membersbeing interrupted to provide an opening which will cause said webs tofree said keeper bar upon a predetermined extent of rotation of saidtumblers; a second plurality of rotatable tumblers having web membersnormally not disposed within other of said kerfs but rotatable into saidkerfs; pawl means associated with each of said tumblers to rotate thesame; push-button means for actuating said pawl means, whereby theproper pawl means may be actuated to unlock the keeper bar for movement;external handle means for moving said unlocked keeper bar out of boltsecuring position; and lever means operatively associated with saidhandle means and said bolt for subsequently withdrawing said bolt fromsa d latch plate socket.

3. A look, comprising a bolt for movement into or out of a latch platesocket, a movable keeper bar normally securing said bolt againstmovement, said keeper bar having a plurality of spaced openings providedalong its length, a group of tumblers aligned with certain of saidopenings and having rigid elements normally disposed within saidopenings to lock said keeper bar against movement; a second group oftumblers aligned with other of said openings and having rigid elementsnormally not disposed therein but movable thereinto; all of saidtumblers being individually rotatably mounted whereby the first groupmay be individually rotated to remove the rigid elements thereof .fromsaid keeper bar openings to unlock said bar for movement and the secondgroup may be individually rotated to move the rigid ele- ,ments thereofinto said keeper bar apertures;

pawl and ratchet means individual to each of said tumblers to rotate thesame; spring means for restoring said pawls to initial position afteractuation thereof; means operable externally of said lock structure tomove the unlocked keeper bar out of bolt-securing position and meansarticulated with said last-named means to move 15 said bolt out of saidsocket after said keeper bar has released said bolt.

4. A look comprising a bolt for movement into or out of a latch platesocket, a movable keeper bar normally securing said bolt againstmovement; said keeper bar having a plurality of spaced openings providedalong its length, a group of tumblers aligned with certain of saidopenings and having rigid elements normally disposed within saidopenings to lock said keeper bar against movement; a second group oftumblers aligned with other of said openings and having rigid elementsnormally not disposed therein but movable thereinto; all of saidtumblers being individually rotatably mounted whereby the first groupmay be individually rotated to remove the rigid elements thereof fromsaid keeper bar openings to unlock said bar for movement and the secondgroup may'be individually rotated to move the rigid elements thereofinto said keeper bar apertures; pawl and ratchet means individual toeach of said tumblers to rotate the same; spring means for restoringsaid pawls to initial position after actuation thereof; means operableexternally of said lock structure to move the unlocked keeper bar out ofbolt securing position; means articulated with said last-named means tomove said bolt out of said socket after said keeper bar has releasedsaid bolt; and means operable externally of said lock structure torestore all of said tumblers to initial status.

5. A look, comprising a bolt for movement into or out of a latch platesocket, a movable keeper bar normally securing said bolt againstwithdrawal from said latch plate; said keeper bar having a plurality ofspaced openings provided along its length, a group of tumblers alignedwith certain of said openings and having rigid elements normallydisposed within said openings to lock said keeper bar against movement;a second group of tumblers aligned with other of said openings andhaving rigid elements normally not disposed therein but movablethereinto; all of said tumblers being individually rotatably mountedwhereby the first group may be individually rotated to remove the rigidelements thereof from said keeper bar openings to unlock said bar formovement and the second group may be individually rotated to move therigid elements thereof into said keeper bar apertures; pawl and ratchetmeans individual to each of said tumblers to rotate the same; springmeans for restoring said pawls to initial position after actuationthereof; cam and lever means operable from the outside of said lockstructure to move the unlocked keeper bar out of bolt-securing position;means articulated with said last-named means to move said bolt out ofsaid socket after said keeper bar has released said bolt; and meansoperable from the other side of said lock to withdraw said bolt fromsaid socket independently of the status of said keeper bar with respectto said bolt.

6. A look, comprising a bolt for movement into or out of a latch platesocket, a movable keeper bar normally securing said bolt againstmovement in a direction effecting the withdrawal of said bolt from saidlatch plate, said keeper bar having a plurality of spaced openingsprovided along its length, a group of tumblers aligned with certain ofsaid openings and having rigid elements normally disposed within saidopenings to lock said keeper bar against movement; a second group oftumblers aligned with other of said openings and having rigid elementsnormally not disposed therein but movable thereinto; all of saidtumblers being individually rotatably mounted whereby the first groupmay be individually rotated to remove the rigid elements thereof fromsaid keeper bar openings to unlock said bar for movement and the secondgroup may be individually rotated to move the rigid elements thereofinto said keeper bar apertures; pawl and ratchet means individual toeach of said tumblers to rotate the same; spring means for restoringsaid pawls to initial position after actuation thereof; cam and levermeans operable from the outside of said lock structure to move thunlocked keeper bar out of bolt securing position; means articulatedwith said last-named means to move said bolt out of said socket aftersaid keeper bar has released said bolt, means operable from the otherside of said lock to withdraw said bolt from said socket even thoughsaid keeper bar may belocked against movement with respect to said bolt;and means operable from either side of said lock to restore all of saidtumblers to initial position.

'7. A look, comprising a bolt for movement into or out of a latch platesocket, a movable keeper bar normally securing said bolt againstmovement in a direction effecting the withdrawal of said bolt from saidlatch plate, said keeper bar having a plurality of spaced openingsprovided along its length, a group of tumblers aligned with certain ofsaid openings and having rigid elements normally disposed within saidopenings to lock said keeper bar against movement; a second group oftumblers aligned with other of said openings and having rigid elementsnormally not disposed therein but movable thereinto; all of saidtumblers being individually rotatably mounted whereby the first groupmay be individually rotated to remove the rigid elements thereof fromsaid keeper bar openings to unlock said bar for movement and the secondgroup may be individually rotated to move the rigid elements thereofinto said keeper bar apertures; each of said tumblers having reset lugmeans; pawl and ratchet means individual to each of said tumblers torotate the same; said pawl means being operatively associated with keymeans individual thereto whereby depression of such key means actuatessaid pawl means: spring means individual to each said key means toreturn the same to initial status after release thereof; means operableexternally of said lock structure to move the unlocked keeper bar out ofbolt-securing position; means articulated with said lastnamed means tosubsequently move the bolt out of said latch plate socket; and bailmeans operable externally of said lock structure and engageable with thereset lugs of said tumblers to restore all of said tumblers to initialstatus.

8. A look, comprising a bolt for movement into or out of a latch platesocket, a movable keeper bar normally securing said bolt againstmovement, said keeper bar having a plurality of spaced openings providedalong its length, a group of tumblers aligned with certain of saidopenings and having rigid elements normally disposed within saidopenings to lock said keeper bar against movement; a second group oftumblers aligned with other of said openings and'having rigid elementsnormally not disposed therein but movable thereinto; all of saidtumblers being individually rotably mounted whereby those of the firstgroup may be rotated to remove the rigid elements thereof from saidkeeper bar openings 17 to unlock said bar for movement and those of thesecond group may be individually rotated to move the rigid elementsthereof into said keeper bar apertures; each of said tumblers havingreset lug means; pawl and ratchet means individual to each of saidtumblers to rotate the same; said pawl means being operativelyassociated with key means individual thereto whereby depression of suchkey means actuates said pawl means; a

single spring means common to all of the said key means to return adepressed key to original position after release thereof; means operableexternally of said lock structure to move the unlocked keeper bar out ofbolt-securing position; means articulated with said last-named means tosubsequently move the bolt out of said latch plate socket; and bailmeans operable externally of said lock structure and engageable with thereset lugs of said tumblers to restore all of said tumblers to initialstatus.

9. A look of the combination type, comprising a slidable bolt, a keeperbar engaging therewith to lock said bolt against manipulation tounlocked condition from the outside of said look, a plurality oftumblers movable with respect to said keeper bar and having rigid meansengaging with said keeper bar to restrain the same against disengagementwith said bolt; other tumblers having rigid means engageable with saidkeeper bar to restrain said movement thereof; means for actuating saidfirst-named tumblers to disengage from said keeper bar the rigid meansthereof; means for actuating said other tumblers to bring the rigidmeans thereof into engagement with said keeper bar, each saidtumbler-actuating means being identical in appearance and operation,whereby only an informed person may know which tumbler actuators toemploy for unlocking the lock; handle means extending from one face ofthe lock for moving the unlocked keeper bar out of bolt-restrainingposition and for withdrawing the bolt; and handle means extending fromthe opposite face of the lock, said handle means including cam meansengageable with the bolt to move the sameto withdrawn positionindependently of the status of the keeper bar; said cam means beingmovable to an extreme position to engage with said bolt to preventwithdrawal thereof under any circumstances.

10. In a lock of the combination type, a bolt for movement into or outof a latch plate socket,

a keeper assembly normally restraining said bolt to maintain the same inlocked position, said keeper assembly including a slidably mountedelongate bar having a plurality of openings along its length, and amember interfitting with said bolt; a shaft rotatably mounted withrespect to said bar and extending parallel thereto; a tumbler mounted onsaid shaft for rotation therewith, said tumbler having a rigid webnormally engaging with one of said openings to prevent movement of saidbar; means whereby a predetermined angular rotation of said shaft willdisengage said tumbler from said bar; key means for 18 last group oftumblers whereby actuation of said last key means will introduce saidtumbler webs into said bar openings.

11. In a lock of the combination type, a bolt for movement into or outof a latch plate socket, a keeper assembly normally restraining saidbolt to maintain the same in locked position, said keeper assemblyincluding a slidably mounted elongate bar and a member interfitting withsaid bolt, said bar having a plurality of openings along itslength; ashaft rotatably mounted with respect to said bar and extending parallelthereto; a tumbler mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, saidtumbler having a rigid web normally engaging with one of said openingsto prevent movement of said bar; means whereby a predetermined angularrotation of said shaft will disengage said tumbler from said bar; keymeans for efiecting a step by step rotation of said shaft; othertumblers independently rotatable on said shaft and having web meansnormally engaging with other openings of said bar; means wherebyactuation of said shaft-rotation key means disengage the web means ofsaid other tumblers from said bar; a third group of tumblersindependently rotatable on said shaft and having web means in alignmentwith the openings of said bar but normally out of engagement therewith;and key means operatively associated with said last group of tumblerswhereby actuation of said last key means will introduce said tumblerwebs into said bar openings, said last-named key means being ineifectiveto rotate said shaft.

12. In a lock of the combination type, a bolt for movement into or outof a latch plate socket, a keeper assembly normally restraining saidbolt to maintain the same in locked position, said keeper assemblyincluding a slidably mounted elongate bar and a member interfitting withsaid bolt, said bar having a plurality of openings along its length; ashaft rotatably mounted with respect to said bar and extending parallelthereto; a tumbler mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, saidtumbler having a rigid web normally engaging with one of said openingsto prevent movement of said bar; means whereby a predetermined angularrotation of said shaft will disengage said tumbler from said bar; keymeans for effecting a step by step rotation of said shaft; othertumblers independently rotatable on said shaft and having web meansnormally engaging with other openings of said bar; means wherebyactuation of said key means conjointly rotates said shaft and rotatessaid other tumblers to a position disengaging the webs thereof from saidbar, a third group of tumblers independently rotatable on said shaft andhaving web means "in alignment with the openings of said bar butnormally out of engagement therewith; and key means operativelyassociated with said last group of tumblers whereby actuation of saidlast key means will introduce said tumbler webs into said bar openings.

13. In a lock of the combination type, a bolt for movement into or outof a latch plate socket, a keeper assembly normally restraining saidbolt to maintain the same in locked position, said keeper assemblyincluding a slidably mounted elongate bar and a member interfitting withsaid bolt, said bar having a plurality of openings along its length; ashaft rotatably mounted with respect to said bar and extending parallelthereto; a tumbler mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, saidtumbler having a rigid web normally engaging with one of said openingsto prevent movement of said 'bar; means whereby a predetermined angularrotation 'of said shaft will disengage said tumbler from said'bar; keymeans for effecting a step by step rotation of said shaft;

other tumblers independently rotatable on said shaft and having webmeans normally engaging with other openings of said bar; means wherebyactuation of said shaft-rotation key means disengage the web means ofsaid' other tumblers from said bar; a third group of tumblersindependently rotatable on said shaft and having web means in alignmentwith the openings of said bar but normally out of "engagement therewith;key means operatively associated with said last group of tumblerswhereby actuation of said last key means will introduce said tumblerwebs into said bar openings; and means preventing the concurrentoperation'of any two key-means.

14. In a lock of the combination type, a bolt for movement into'or outof a latch plate socket, a keeper assembly normally restraining saidbolt to maintain the same in locked position, said keeper assemblyincluding a slidably mounted elongate bar and a member interfitting withsaid bolt, said bar having a plurality of openings along L its length; ashaft rotatably mounted with respect to said bar and extending parallelthereto; a tumbler mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, saidtumbler having a rigid web normally engaging with one of said openingsto prevent movement of said bar; means whereby a predetermined angularrotation of said shaft will disengage said tumbler from said bar; keymeans for effecting a step by step rotation of said shaft; othertumblers independently rotatable on said shaft and having web meansnormally engaging with other openings of said bar; means wherebyactuation of said shaft-rotation key means disengage the web means ofsaid other tumblers from said bar; a third group of tumblersindependently rotatable on said shaft and having web means in alignmentwith the openings of said bar but normally out of engagement therewith;and key means operatively associated with said last group of tumblerswhereby actuation of said last key means will introduce said tumblerwebs into said bar openings, and means whereby upon actuation of any oneof said key means a second key means may not be actuated until the firstkey means has been released.

15. In a lock of the combination type, a bolt for movement into or outof a latch plate socket; a keeper assembly normally restraining saidbolt against withdrawal from said socket, said keeper assembly includinga slidably mounted keeper bar, a plurality of tumbler means engagingwith said keeper bar to prevent movement thereof; depressible key meansindividual to each tumbler means for actuating the same to disengagefrom said keeper bar, each said key means including a relatively flatleg portion; a ball cage in the path of movement of the leg portions ofsaid keymeans; and a plurality of balls disposed within said cage, theleg portion of any key being movable into a'position between adjacentballs upon depression of said key, the spacing of said balls relative toeach other being such that when the leg of a key is positioned betweenadjacent balls the remaining balls are crowded together to offer aphysical barrier against the depression of any other key.

16. A look according to claim 15,-in which the ball cage has means foradjusting the mutual spacing of the balls therein.

Iii)

17. In a lock of the combination type, a bolt for movement into or outof a latch plate socket, a keeper assembly normally restraining saidbolt to maintain the same in locked position, said keeper assemblyincluding a slidably mounted elongate bar and a member interfitting withsaid bolt said bar having a plurality of openings along its length; ashaft rotatably mounted with respect to said bar and extending parallelthereto; a tumbler mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, saidtumbler having a rigid web normally engaging with one of said openingsto prevent movement of said bar; means whereby a predetermined angularrotation of said shaft will disengage said tumbler from said bar; keymeans for effecting a step by step rotation of said shaft; othertumblers independently rotatable on said shaft and having web meansnormally engaging with other openings of said bar; means wherebyactuation of said shaft-rotation key means disengage the web means ofsaid other tumblers from said bar; a third group oftumblersindependently rotatable on said shaft and having web means inalignment with the openings of said bar but normally outof engagementtherewith;

and key means operatively associated with 'said last group of tumblerswhereby actuation of said last key means will introduce said tumblerwebs into said bar openings, and means whereby upon the disengagement ofall of said webs with-the respective keeper bar openings thebolt-interfitting member of said-keeper assembly may be-disengaged fromsaid bolt to permit the same to be withdrawn from said latch platesocket.

18. In a lock of the combination type, a bolt mounted for movement intoand out-of a'latch plate socket, and a permutation mechanism for openingsaid lock according to a preestablished combination, including aslidably mounted keeper bar normally'engaging with said boltto hold'thesame against movement, said keeper bar having a plurality of kerfs alongits length, said kerfs sing at right angles to the direction of movementof said bar; a shaft mounted adjacent said bar and inparallelism'therewith; a plurality of tumblers carried by said shaft inalignment with the respective kerfs, said tumblers being individuallyrotatable upon said shaft and each said tumbler having an arcuate webinsertable into an adjacent kerf to lock said-keeperbar againstdisengagement with said bolt; each said tumbler having aplurality ofpawl-engaging teeth so disposed with respect to the web of said tumblerthat when the same tooth of the respective tumblers is in a common planethe webs of some tumblers are disposed within the adjacent kerfs and thewebs of other tumblers are not within their respectively adjacent kerfs;pawl means individual to each tumbler for engaging a tooth thereof torotate said tumbler; means for causing said pawl means to engage a toothof the respective tumblers only when said-tooth occupies apreestablished position within the arc of rotation of said tumbler,whereby each said pawl means rotates its associated tumbler'through apredetermined arc of rotation in which the webs of some tumblers aredisengaged from the associated kerfsand the webs of others areintroduced into said-kerfs; and key means individual to said pawl meanswhereby each pawl means may be individually actuated and only certainkeys will clear thekerfs of said bar to permit said bar to be moved intobolt-disengaging position.

19. in a lock of the combination type, a bolt mounted for movement intoand out of a latch plate socket, and a permutation mechanism for openingsaid lock according to a preestablished combination, including aslidably mounted keeper bar normally engaging with said bolt .to

hold the same against movement, said keeper lock said keeper bar againstdisengagement with said bolt; each said tumbler having a plurality ofpawl-engaging teeth so disposed that when the same tooth of therespective tumblers is in a common plane the webs ofsome tumblers aredisposed within the adjacent kerfs and will clear the kerfs upon tumblerrotation, and the webs of other tumblers are not within theirrespectively adjacent kerfs but will enter an adjacent kerf uponrotation of such tumblers; shaft rotation means disposed adjacent thosetumblers whose webs are normally within the kerfs; pawl means individualto each tumbler and engageable with a tooth thereof to rotate thetumbler when said tooth occupies a predetermined position the pawl meansof certain tumblers simultaneously rotating the shaft rotation means asisociated therewith, whereby said shaft may be rotated in step by stepmanner; another tumbler carried by said shaft for rotation therewith,said tumbler having an arcuate Web normally within a kerf of said keeperbar and of such arcuate extent that rotation of said shaft over a predetermined arc is necessary to disengage said web from said kerf; meanswhereby rotation of those of the first-named tumblers associated withthe shaft rotation means will disengage the webs of said tumblers fromthe associated kerfs and whereby the total of said tumbler actuationswill cause said shaft to rotate sufiiciently to disenwhich each shaftrotation means has a pawl-engaging tooth so disposed that after apredetermined extent of shaft rotation said tooth will come intoadjacency with the tumbler. tooth engageable by its associated pawl,whereby the pawl may then simultaneously engage both of said teeth uponthe nextactuation of said pawl.

25. In a combination look, a slidable .bolt, a slidable keeper barnormally engaging with said bolt to hold the same against movement,tumblers engageable with said keeper bar to hold the same againstmovement, means for disengaging said tumblers and said keeper bar toclear the same for movement; a knob shaft extending through the lock andhaving knobs at each end thereof, lever means on said shaft andengageable with said keeper bar move the same outofboltengaging positionupon rotation of said shaft after clearance of said' keeper bar, andlever means on said shaft and'engageable with said bolt to move thebolt, said last-named lever means being so disposed with respect to saidfirst named lever means that bolt movement occurs only after said keeperbar has disengaged from said bolt.

26. In a combination look, a slidable bolt, a slidable keeper barnormally engaging with said bolt to hold the same against movement in anunlocking direction, tumblers engageable with said keeper bar to holdthe same against disengagement from said bolt; means for clearing saidkeeper bar for movement by moving said tumblers; a knob shaft extendingthrough the lock and having knobs at each end of said shaft to rotatethe shaft; lever means en said "shaft and engageable with said keeperbar to move the same out of bolt-engaging position upon I rotation ofthe shaft in one direction after cleargage the web of the last-namedtumbler from the associated kerf; and key means individual to each pawlfor actuating the same for tumbler rotation.

20. A lock mechanism according to claim 18,- in which all of therespective tumblers are held against accidental rotation during therotation of any other tumbler.

21. A look mechanism according to claim. 18, in which each tumbler has adetent collar formed with notches equal in number and angular spacing tothe pawl teeth thereof, and each detent collar has a spring presseddetent engageable with the notches thereof.

22. A look mechanism according to claim 18, in which the webs of therespective tumblers have an angular notch corresponding to the angleformed by the top and adjacent front wall of the keeper bar, wherebyrotation of a tumbler more than required by the combination willintroduce a solid portion of said web into a keeper bar kerf to holdsaid keeper bar against movement.

23. A lock mechanism according to claim 18, in which the webs of therespective tumblers are such that rotation of any tumbler out of thesequence required by the combination will introduce its said web intothe associated keeper bar kerf. I

24. A look mechanism according to claim 19, in-

ance of said keeper bar; bail means operable on said tumblers to restorethe same to initial position' before keeper bar actuation; lever meansoperated by rotation of said shaft in an opposite direction to actuatesaid bail means; and lever means on said shaft and engageable with saidbolt to move the bolt, said last-named lever means being so disposedwith respect to said first-named lever means that bolt movement occursonlyafter said kee per bar hasdisengaged from said bolt:

27. In a combination look, a slidable bolt, a keeper barmovable'relative to said bolt; tumbler means engaging with said keeperbar to hold the same against movement; means operating on said tumblermeans to disengage the same from said keeper bar to permit movement; alever pivotally mounted relative to said bolt, said lever having a noseengageable within an aperture formed in said bolt; means operatingon'said lever to nor-' mally hold the nose thereof within said'notch toprevent movement of said bolt; a knob shaft mounted for rotation; 'a camon said knob shaft; means associated with said cam'and said keeper barwhereby rotation of said shaft after disengagement of said tumblers fromsaid shaft will move the keeper bar relative to said bolt; a mechanicalconnection between said keeper bar and r-j-movementof said keeper bar byengagementiof a r single 'tumbler, therewith, whereby such singletumbler :engagement will .hold 'said-jkeeper bar against forciblemovement.

;r;29 .;'In:'a. combination lock, a,slidablerbolt,v a

I ikeeperbarmovable relative to said bolt, ,a'detent controlled bysaid-keeper bar and engaging with giisaid; jboltgwhen the latter isinlooking position {to-prevent "movement of the bolt-tounlocked ;;:1status a plurality of tumblers rotatably vmounted adjacent-saidkeeperbar and'engageable there- ;wi-th ",-toprevent;movement thereof; meansfor ;--moving said tumblers out of engagement with 'zsaidgkeeper bar'tofree thesame for movement :1: shaft means for movingthe keeper bar,and its etherewith-associated detent to freethe'bolt for wmovement;handle means on one side-20f said dock-fixed to said shaft means forconjointly moving said keeper bar and said bolt; handle means ontheother side; of said lock-and fixed to Said', shaft means for moving saidboltindependently of keeper bar positionymeans con- .trolled by saidfirst-named handle means for re- :setting said tumblers in keeper barengagement eposition; and :means operable independently of:saidsecond-named handle means -for resetting 'said'tumblersin--keeperbar engagement position. ,-'30. A;1ock according to claim 29,in which said second-named tumbler resetting means includes 7 -a sleeverotatablycarried by said shaft means.

-31. ;In a lock in combination a movable bolt, =-actuatingmeans-connected to said bolt whereby thelatter may-be retracted, ashiftable. member .;.operatively connected to said actuating means forpreventing bo1t retraction by the-latter, said member being formed with,kerfs 1 movably mounted tumblersextending into said =kerfs to prevent ashifting of said member, said tumblers being, formed with notches, meansfor moving .saidtuinblers to positions at which their notchesvaccommodatesaid member topermitof a shiftingfoff the same bysaidactuating .meansand meansfunctioningto,arrest the (movements of anytumbler which is movedto vaipoint atv ,which -its notch hasalignedw'ithithe adjacent-edge por- (.tio'n ofgsaid, shiftable {memberand has moved =1beyo ndsuch point. I

j 32.1 In a -l6ck= ingcbr'nbi ation a movable; bolt,

, actuatingmeans I oon'ne'ctedto said bolt whereby I thellatter may be.retracted, a shiftable. member operatively connected tosaid actuatingmeans for preventing bolt retraction by therlatter said :member being'formedwith -kerfs, movably .-mounted tumblers-extending into saidkerfsto prevent a-shifting ofsaidz-member said tumblers i being formed withnotchesmeans for moving saidetumblers-to positions at which their;notches accommodate saidmembertoipermit of a -sh ift- -i ng of the sameby-said actuating means and;

:;preYenta; shiftingpfsaidmember; said; tumblers 1; :being formed withn=otches,:means formoving-isaid :tumblers to --positions at which :their:notohes ao- "I :commcdatersmd:member to permit-10f a'sh'if'ting5':;of:thegsame bysaid actuatingmeans; a-movably .r:mountedvbailshiftable with respect to said; tum- :blers and means for-moving saidbail; to engage allzoif s'a'id tumblersand return the latter topredetermined initial positions.

, 1. 34;;31Inv a' lockin combination a movable; bolt,

:;.actuating means-connected to-said bolt whereby thelatter"mayberetracted; ashiftable member :ioperatiyely connected to said actuatingmeansfor --preventing =bolt1 -retraction by the latter,- s-aidlie-member; being :formed 'with' kerfs, movably mounted stumblersextending into said kerfs to :1 *prevent-a'shifting ofsaidmemb'er,said-tumblers being formedwith-notches,meansf or moving said stumblersto positions at which their notches ac- 5commodate-jsaidimember topermitof a shifting of mined-initialpositions: and said bail functioningto -zarr'est:;the;-movement of any tumbler which is *moved toa'point'atwhich'iits notch hasial'igned with the adjacent; edgeportion-of said shiitable member and has moved beyond such *point.

I In' a-il'ock' in combination: a mov'able bolt,

actuating means connected to." said boltiwhere'by the latter ay beretracted, a" shiftable member operatively connected to said actuatingmeans for preventing "bolt retraction by the latter, said men-iberbeingformed 1 with *kerfs, jmovably mounted i tumblers extending into' saidke'r'fs' to fprevent a'shifting ofsaid member, s a' id tumblers beingformedwi'th notches,- means for moving-said tumblers to positions atwhich their notches accommodate said 'member" to pcrmit-fof a shifting"forthe same :by said actuating means; additional 'notched'tumblersthe'no-tchesfof whichare normallyfalignediwith said member-to 'al1ow;0fa

;-;shiftingfl of" theisame, and "means for moving gsaidadditionaLtumblers to bring the notches thereof outofaligriment with theadjacent edgesofsiaid .TSGLIna lock jingc'ombination a movable'b'olt,

factuatingmeans connected to said bolt whereby the-latten mayberetracted, a, shiftable' member j 1 opejrativelyg ecnnectedito ,saidiactuatingimeans f .Iforl preventing lboltliretractiodby thelatterQsa-id member being formed fwithffkerfs, movably mounted..tumblersiextending into said kerfs to prevent a shifting ofsaidmemb'er, saidtumblers beingformed wfith-notches,=means for movi ngsaid tumblers toJpositidns at which theirlfnotches accommodatevsaidlmember to permitfof ashifting of the same by said actuatingzmeansand means functioning under certain conditionsrfor arrest- 4 ing tumblermovements.

--3'7..;In a lock in combination-a movable bolt, -:actuating; .meansconnected to -said: boltwhereby the'latter maybenretracted,ashiftablemember ;operativelyconnected to: said actuatingmeans-for :--preventing:-:bolt- Y retraction by :the flatter," saidmember beingzrtfo-rmed With-"*kerfs, g: movably 5 mounted tumblersextending-into said" kerfs to m- :prevent-a-ishiftingof said member,said tumblers :-:-being;;formed with notches, means formoving saidtumblers -:to positions at. whichytheir notches accommodate said member-to permit of ashifting of the same by said actuating means and ;.meansior-rreturning said tumblers to positions at which they again preventshifting of said member.

26 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Lewis May 13, 1879 McCarthy Apr. 7,1914 Grubb Apr. 24, 1923 Morin, Jr Feb. 12,1929

FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain July 6, 1909

